Redman Half Ironman 2012

It's been forever since I felt compelled to write a race report! 

Early in the week I felt very nervous about this race. Made myself write out a race plan and a list of why I was nervous. That helped a ton and as we got closer to race day I became more and more relaxed.

Had a great roommate, Alicia, who prefers to get to races super early like I do. We had plenty of time to scout transition, lay out our gear, and hit the porta-potties multiple times.

Alicia, Me, Gretchen, Jon

I wore my long-sleeve wetsuit for the swim because that's what I'm wearing in Arizona. I started the swim on the inside near the front. I'm not a crazy fast swimmer but I am a strong swimmer so I tried to position myself where I thought I should be. Lots of arms & legs in this swim which was good practice for AZ. All I saw the whole time was green, yellow, and white swim caps from the men that started in waves before us. 100's of men that we had to swim through. I only saw a few fellow pink caps the whole time. It was tough to ever get into a rhythm because I was constantly just trying to find empty space between the men. I got super tired the last 200-300 yards so I thought, I guess I swam that pretty hard! I never get that tired in my 2 mile swim! I remembered to look at my watch when I had climbed out of the mud and it said 38. Took awhile to run up the beach to transition...my total time was 39:00. Looking back at my 300 yard splits my first 300 was 5:00:08. This is without question a 300 yard PR for me. And this was right after I told Gretchen, I just need to make sure I go out slow. Hahaha! Ah well.

Alicia, Gretchen, Fiona, Me, Heidi
Tri Girls!!!

I tried to pee in the water before I got out but couldn't and thought, it will go away, I must not have too. Transition was uneventful, nice and quick and I was on my bike. I immediately realized I did have to pee and this was the worst part of my whole ride. I just suffered through it until the next transition. My bike computer hasn't been working so I had zero idea of my speed. I had my Garmin on but set on total race time and total race distance. I really prefer not to know my speed, it worked great for me.

As always, it took awhile for me to find my legs, it was like flipping on a switch when they showed up at mile 22. In those first 20 miles I had 10-12 females in my age group pass me. Talk about demoralizing!!! I just tried to tell myself that was because I had such a kick ass swim and none of these girls looked like runners. I would catch them. (I ended up 11th in my AG but had the 5th fastest swim) Averaged 18.2 on the bike while the 10 girls ahead of me all averaged 19 plus. I got really tired the last 10 miles so I knew that I had gone hard and I just needed to hold on and stay focused.

Headed out on the bike!

My Ironman nutrition that I was practicing worked great. Practiced grabbing bottles at the aid stations and pouring them in my aero bottle and practiced my food. Started to feel really hot the last 5 miles so started dumping water on my back and chest.

Running into transition all I could think about was how bad I had to pee so hit up the porta-potties on my way out. I hated to lose the 2 minutes in there but I just knew I couldn't run with that.

Starting on the run I was aware that I had given myself 2 hours and 13 minutes to run 13.1 miles and break 6 hours. I was 100% confident that I could do that. I just couldn't go too fast the first loop (of 2). I kept repeating over and over, don't go fast Michelle, just be consistent. I looked at my watch every time it beeped and my miles were 9:42, 9:37, 9:46, etc. It was in the 90's at this point with no clouds and zero tree cover. I knew that I had to keep my heart rate down so that I wouldn't over heat and blow up the second loop.

I was so determined to break 6 hours. Obsessed. This was not my goal going into this race. I told Alicia the night before it wasn't even my A, B, or C goal. It would take a miracle of a bike ride to put me in the position to have a chance at breaking 6 hours. Well, that bike course is a fast course. And here I was, within position. So it became my goal. I just knew that I had to run really smart. I ran 9:50's with the occasional walk at the aid station to fill my bottle. I started to really feel the days effort at mile 10 and slowed down a little and walked a little slower at the aid station. Had to keep telling myself not to give up, I didn't get this close to give up. I was in a very painful, quiet place these last 3 miles and very, very tired. This is the place I always hope to get to in a race because it means that I have pushed myself hard and it's when you prove to yourself you're stronger than you think you are. Managed to pick up the pace the last mile and saw my amazing friends making a tunnel for me to run through. Ran a 9:13 last mile. (It felt like I was flying. So far from my 1:46 half marathon PR this past winter, haha!!)

I was very confident the whole run that I could do it, I could break 6 hours. I started tearing up at mile 5 because I was so proud of myself. I knew I had the endurance and I just knew I could hold that pace and manage the heat as best I could.

Finishing loop 1

Official time 5:57:40.

Everything that I practiced for Ironman Arizona worked well this weekend. I kept thinking on the bike, I'm so glad I won't have to ride this hard in AZ. I could not hold that swim or bike pace for double the distance. 5 more weeks of work before I start my taper, can't wait to get back at it!

Huge thanks to Greg, Fiona, Heidi, Brian, Cassie, Sharon, Catherine, and Elaine for cheering us on!!!!

Big congrats and huge hugs to my fellow Half Ironman racers Troy, Alicia, John, Gretchen, and Jon. It made such a difference racing with friends!!!

Thanks Fiona for all the pics!!!